Georgia settles on new offensive coordinator after Jim Chaney departure

It was a bit surprising this week when Georgia OC Jim Chaney left to take the same position at SEC East rival Tennessee.

However, unlike the Vols, the Bulldogs didn’t drag out their search for a new coordinator, and made a hiring official on Friday.

Per an email from the school, co-offensive coordinator James Coley has been promoted to the full-time role by coach Kirby Smart:

“James has been an critical part of our staff since we came to Georgia,” said Smart. “He’s done an incredible job in all aspects of his responsibilities including coaching wide receivers for two years, serving as co-offensive coordinator this past season coaching the quarterbacks, and recruiting. James has extensive coordinator experience during his entire coaching career and will transition easily into his new role.”

Coley has been with the Georgia staff since Smart took over the program in 2016, so he’s familiar with what the Bulldogs have on offense and what they want to accomplish.

Now, it’ll be up to Coley to help QB Jake Fromm continue to develop into one of the SEC’s best quarterbacks.

A 2012 graduate of the University of Missouri, Adam now covers all 14 SEC football teams.

He IS a great recruiter with connections to south Florida and he is working with more talent than he ever had at Miami. Also working under a Head coach who is a good bit more competent than anyone he worked with at Miami.

He and Fromm have been crushing “3rd and Grantham” for two years. Of course, the fact that Jimbo Fisher wanted him as OC at Texas A&M and that Manny Diaz wanted him back as OC should not carry more weight than some rants by Miami fans.

Joe, I’m not sure random, unsubstantiated comments from Canes fans amount to much of anything. Plus, every OC catches flak from some corner of the fanbase, so the existence of disgruntled fans, again, doesn’t amount to much. Though you are correct that time will tell how well he does as OC. I, personally, am optimistic and thought Coley should have been Chaney’s replacement all along.

Why would you make a statement like that “Check backnin a year”? You guys have been beaten down 2 years in a row and UGA is still vastly more talented than you and ownsyour coach. You really want to check back in a year? Also. Do you think Coley had UGA talent at Miami? His QBs threw for 3,000yds but didn’t have half what he has now. Don’t be a delusional gator.

Joe, you found a few fan quotes from when Miami lost a game. Considering the fact that anybody could find negative quotes on literally every coach in high school right on through college the NFL. I don’t think UGA fans are going to lose any sleep over it.

When Smart hired Jim Chaney, I thought it was a safe choice and a good starting place for the Dawgs OC position. I never really viewed Chaney as a permanent figure on UGA’s staff and always thought we could do better. Then came the LSU game and I wanted his head on a platter.

I hope like hell James Coley is an upgrade.

In the meantime I’ve got to go deal with some college football withdrawal symptoms. Maybe I can find a 12-step program for that.

wde, who can really know. Ole shady Jimbo tried to poach Coley for his OC position just last year. His offenses lead the nation in explosive plays for two years, at Miami. He will have even more talent at his disposal in Athens. Kirby could have hired just about anybody he wanted.

I don’t think you are as stupid as you sound. Think about what your comment says. You realize Tennessee got the co-offensive coordinator that Georgia did not want to keep, right? Perhaps Cheney can fetch you a cup of coffee.

If you think the co-OC gets coffee and washes drawers than you don’t know enough to be sharing your opinions. And yes, UGA tried to keep Chaney but wasn’t willing to match UT’s counter offer. But Kentucky’s OC was never offered the position. Not sure how or why you all are trying to spin that as a negative.

I think the continuity Coley brings will be huge for UGA next year. There’s also a reason Jimbo Fisher made a serious run at hiring him before last season. He might not be a super star, but he knows the system and knows the players, so all he has to do is make the most of the elite talent at his disposal.

Agree 100%. I don’t know if Coley is an upgrade but I’m sure we’re not taking a step back with him.
I think he gets along with Kirby a lot better than Chaney. There was some palpable friction between Chaney and Kirby.
I can’t wait for next season.

HIS POST WAS THE BEST POST OF THE DAY AND UGA’s track record in big games under Kirby proves it. Every step up to the next level game has resulted in a loss due to Ga. being out coached. All these great recruits that can’t get it across the finish line cause the coaches keep dropping the baton…I love the dawgs but i’m not a blind homer by any means….

It’s called regression to the mean. Basically it means Georgia will always be Georgia. Build all the facilities you want. They’re only good for a conference championship every 10-20 years and one natty per 100 years.

Man, I can tell you know your stuff! Promoting coaches within a program IS called regression to the mean. If only Kirby Smart, with extensive background in football, would listen to the likes of you. I bet you’re a blast to watch games with! You just have to know what play to call, or who to play every game. Surely you’re submitting your expertise to Dan Mullen and staff.

When he was coordinator and play-caller at Miami, the Hurricanes led the nation in “explosive plays” all three years. Coley coached Brad Kaaya to Freshman All-America honors as the quarterback broke the single-season record for passing yards at Miami. Wide receiver Allen Hurns broke the single season receiving record with 1,162 yards in 2013.

In the midst of that, Miami produced two 1,000 yards rushers in Duke Johnson (1,652 yards in 2014) and Joe Yearly (1,002 in 2015). So Coley knows the value of running the football.

I don’t think they got it right with that word and it has zero to do with coley or his ability. He was promoted to co offensive coordinator for one reason or another so Georgia wanted him around. So whether anyone else thinks coley is the right guy, Georgia did. So I’m not sure how that amounts to settle.

For all any of us really know right now, this is the most clear headed observation any one has made yet. Coleys and Pitmans recruiting contributions have done more to elevate UGA to viable contender status than any other aspect of Kirbys program.

Not going to lie both sides of the he said she said argument are annoying the heck out of me.

These are the facts that are indisputable. Coley was promoted to co-offensive coordinator and QB coach. Fromm had a better year this year.

Coley is now the OC and even if they did offer the Kentucky OC for
OC it’s a moot point because they gave it to Coley not long after Chaney left. Meaning it was a short list and Coley was at the very least 2 on that list.

So this argument about whether or not he was offered is only for some narrative or agenda either side is trying to push and it literally has zero baring on what’s going to happen on the field. Pretty sure Kirby isn’t going to think “man that guy turned me down let me run my team badly “

I really don’t think we settled. He was the next man up. I don’t know if Chaney was trying to leverage an offer into a raise, but I know for sure Georgia had no interest in matching what Tennessee was offering. I wish him all the best, and I hope Tennessee gets back to form and helps the SEC East be a force again. It’s boring when Georgia being the division champ is a foregone conclusion. I like winning and all, but we need our division to step up.

HAHAHA! Tennessee fans are a hilarious. I cannot wait until the UGA UT game next year. I remember all the UT fans laughing at UGA when they hired Chaney. But now he is their savior. Again, lol. Chaney is just setting up retirement. Cannot wait to see the al mighty VOLs next year.

Correct me if I’m wrong (I’m not), but I seem to remember pretty much all of the UTjr fans dogging UGA when Chaney was first hired by Kirby and talking about how he was trash during his time as OC at tennessee. Why are they suddenly so ecstatic about having him again? It’s not like he’s taking any of UGA’s players with him. Seems odd, but I guess that’s the life of a UTjr fan. Sad, really sad.

Yes they were.now he’s thus great IF lol.i liked Chaney he wasn’t great but wasn’t too bad either.but Dawgnation was wanting Coley to be oc since he got the co tag.Dawgnation has been over Chaney since his 1st year.